Golf training apparatuses and methods

ABSTRACT

A golf swing training apparatus, method and kit for allowing users to practice their golf swing are disclosed. Embodiments of the golf swing trainer include a collapsible and lightweight golf swing trainer that may be displayed on retail store shelves and transported in typical passenger vehicles without requiring separate delivery using delivery vehicles. Alternate embodiments include multiple components, such as elongated frame members, netting, a golf ball lifter, a golf ball track and a platform that may be assembled and disassembled by hand. Still other embodiments include a trainer that returns the golf balls to the user quickly.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/792,817, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Golf great Tiger Woods attributes some of his success to the disciplinedpractice of hitting 1,000 golf balls a day from a practice tee.Unfortunately, most individuals who enjoy golf and would like to improvetheir skills do not have the time or money it would take to go daily toa driving range and do that. Without sufficient practice, the skills ofthe average golfer remain average, and those who wish to improve theirgame have little hope of seeing real improvement.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved golf swingtrainer.

In accordance with one aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure,a golf swing training device is provided. The golf swing training deviceincluding a platform with an aperture, a golf ball track connectable tothe platform, a golf ball lifter connectable to the platform and adaptedto position at least one golf ball from the golf ball track on avertically movable golf tee and extend the golf ball through theaperture. The golf swing training device may also include a plurality ofelongated frame members and netting connectable to the plurality offrame members, wherein the platform, the golf ball track, the golf balllifter, the plurality of elongated frame members, and the netting areconnectable to one another to form a golf swing trainer. For at leastsome embodiments, the platform, golf ball track and golf ball lifterconnect to one another to sequentially move one or more golf balls fromthe golf ball track to the vertically movable golf tee and sequentiallymove the one or more golf balls through the aperture in the platform,positioning each golf ball in a location where a user standing on theplatform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club whileholding the golf club handle to practice the user's golf stroke. Theplurality of elongated frame members may connect to one another to forma frame and the fabric connect to the frame to form a fabric ballarrester and ball return, the ball arrester being configured and adaptedto stop golf balls as the golf balls are sequentially hit from the golftee and the fabric ball return being sloped to receive a ball from thearrester and return the ball to the ball track. Some embodiments includea rotating arm that moves the golf tee vertically. Still furtherembodiments include a platform segmented into sections that may beseparate and/or collapsed to reduce the size of the platform.

In accordance with other aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the platform, golf ball track, golf ball lifter, pluralityof elongated frame members, and netting may be disassembled to form acompact package facilitating display on retail store shelves andenabling purchasers to transport the golf swing trainer without the needfor a separate delivery and/or delivery vehicle.

In accordance with further aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the golf swing trainer returns balls to the user quickly sothat the user can keep swinging and need to bend over to pick up a ball.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of the concepts thatare described in further detail in the detailed description and drawingscontained herein. This summary is not intended to identify any primaryor essential features of the claimed subject matter. Some or all of thedescribed features may be present in the corresponding independent ordependent claims, but should not be construed to be a limitation unlessexpressly recited in a particular claim. Each embodiment describedherein is not necessarily intended to address every object describedherein, and each embodiment does not necessarily include each featuredescribed. Other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits,features, and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent toone of skill in the art from the detailed description and drawingscontained herein. Moreover, the various apparatuses and methodsdescribed in this summary section, as well as elsewhere in thisapplication, can be expressed as a large number of differentcombinations and subcombinations. All such useful, novel, and inventivecombinations and subcombinations are contemplated herein, it beingrecognized that the explicit expression of each of these combinations isunnecessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the figures shown herein may include dimensions or may have beencreated from scaled drawings. However, such dimensions, or the relativescaling within a figure, are by way of example, and not to be construedas limiting.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf swing trainer according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is an alternate perspective view of the golf swing trainerdepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an alternate perspective view of the golf swing trainerdepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a golf training apparatus according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the golf training apparatusdepicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the golf training apparatusdepicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the teeing portion of the golf trainingapparatus depicted in FIG. 8 as viewed from below the golf trainingapparatus.

FIG. 12 is a partial front view of the golf training apparatus depictedin FIG. 8 depicting the teeing portion with the catch and return portionremoved.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the portion of the golf training apparatusdepicted in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the teeing device, golf ball track, andball collector depicted in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the teeing device, ball track andball collector depicted in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the teeing device, ball track, and ballcollector depicted in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is the teeing device depicted in FIG. 16 taking along line17-17.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the teeing device depicted in FIG. 17with the golf tee extended upward.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the teeing device depicted in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of the operation of one embodiment of a golftrainer during startup.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of the operation of one embodiment of a golftrainer while a user practices the user's golf swing.

FIGS. 22-27 are partial side elevational views of the sequencing of golfballs onto the golf tee according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thedisclosure, reference will now be made to one or more embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended; any alterations andfurther modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, andany further applications of the principles of the disclosure asillustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. At least oneembodiment of the disclosure is shown in great detail, although it willbe apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features orsome combinations of features may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

Any reference to “invention” within this document is a reference to anembodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodimentincluding features that are necessarily included in all embodiments,unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be referencesto “advantages” provided by some embodiments, other embodiments may notinclude those same advantages, or may include different advantages. Anyadvantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to anyof the claims.

Specific quantities (spatial dimensions, temperatures, pressures, times,force, resistance, current, voltage, concentrations, wavelengths,frequencies, heat transfer coefficients, dimensionless parameters, etc.)may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, such specific quantitiesare presented as examples only and are approximate values unlessotherwise indicated. Discussions pertaining to specific compositions ofmatter, if present, are presented as examples only and do not limit theapplicability of other compositions of matter, especially othercompositions of matter with similar properties, unless otherwiseindicated.

The systems described herein (and variations on them) can be fabricated,shipped, and sold at retail for a reasonable price. They are easilydisassembled and transported and provide additional advantages to thegolfer over hitting buckets of balls at a driving range.

One example embodiment will now be described with reference to thedrawings, and reference will be made to specific structures, materials,and design variations. Many variations will occur to those skilled inthe art, and will achieve similar results based on the techniques wedescribe.

FIGS. 1 and 5-7 show perspective views of a golf swing trainer. When thetrainer is in use, the user stands on the platform, and the systemmechanically tees up a ball for the user to hit through a hole in theplatform. A frame extends from the platform in the direction of thepractice shot. The frame supports netting that catches the ball andreturns it to a trough that feeds the automated teeing mechanism. Theteeing mechanism includes a reciprocating tee cylinder that is driven bya motor as will be discussed further herein.

Turning to FIG. 1, system 100 includes platform 110, legs 120, gutter130, and frame 140. Frame 140 supports netting (not shown) that catchesballs hit from tee 150 and returns them to gutter 130 by force ofgravity. Frame 140 comprises straight tubes and corner tubes configuredto be fitted together for easy assembly by hand, and the net attacheswith permanent or removable features along the edge of the net. Each ofthese attachments could use any of a wide variety of attachmentmechanisms, as will occur to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of system 100. In this view, chute 160 can beseen connecting a hole at the bottom of gutter 130 to teeing cylinder170. Balls that have been hit roll down the netting around frame 140into gutter 130, down chute 160, and into teeing cylinder 170 as will bediscussed further herein.

Motor 180 rests on shelf 182 and turns shaft 184, thereby turning member186, moving connector 188 through a slot in reciprocating member 190 andthereby raising and lowering the end of member 190 that is hidden inFIG. 2. Point 192 of member 190 can be adjusted up or down, which hasthe opposite effect on the height of tee 150 at the top of its stroke.In alternative embodiments, the height of end 192 is controlledelectronically by push-buttons in platform 110 configured to be actuatedby the user by a toe or the end of a golf club. In other alternativeembodiments, one or more other mechanical, electrical, pneumatic,hydraulic, or other adjustment means may be used as will occur to thoseskilled in the art.

Additional detail describing the re-teeing mechanism will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3-4. When a ball comes down chute 160from gutter 130, the ball will typically come to rest at the edge ofteeing cylinder 170. Member 202 moves up and down within cylinder 170,depending from end 194 of member 190. When member 190 is in position A,tee 150 extends up through platform 110 so that a ball can be hit. Whenit is, a micro switch in member 202 detects the mass of the ball havingbeen removed and triggers reciprocation of end 194 by engaging motor180. When member 190 is in position B, member 202 has ceased to blockentry of balls returning through chute 160, and one of them falls ontotee 150. The motor continues to operate, and tee 150 moves back up toits upper position and stops. If no ball is detected, the motorcontinues to be activated, and tee 150 reciprocates again.

Various embodiments of this system provide advantages over existingsystems. For example, some embodiments will relieve the golfer fromhaving to leave his or her house to hit golf balls, such as to go to adriving range or golf course. Some embodiments allow the golfer to avoidthe expense and wasted travel time relating to visiting a driving range.Other embodiments relieve the golfer from having to bend over to tee upeach golf ball, allowing the golfer instead to keep his or her feet inposition (making slight adjustments as desired) between shots.

Some embodiments are designed to be assembled for left- or right-handedgolfers, and some embodiments are adaptable with a video camera mountfor evaluating swing technique. Some embodiments include a “bulk feedinghopper” for use with driving ranges (typically without the frame andnetting for capturing hit balls), while others can be used indoors,where space permits.

In still other embodiments, other types of objects for different sportsare handled in this same way. In some of these embodiments, baseballsare tossed up through the platform for batting practice, then returnedthrough one or more nets, gutters, and chutes. Other embodiments usehockey pucks for slap shot practice. Still other embodiments will assistathletes with practicing other sporting activities as will occur tothose skilled in the art based on this disclosure.

Depicted in FIGS. 8-19 is a golf training apparatus 200 according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure. Golf training apparatus200 includes a catch and return portion 210 and a teeing portion 230.Catch and return portion 210 includes a ball arresting device 212 thatstops a golf ball after being hit and delivers the golf ball to a ballreturn 214 that returns the golf balls toward teeing portion 230. Aframe 216 provides support for ball arrester 212 and ball return 214 sothat ball arrester 212 and ball return 214 can repeatedly catch andreturn golf balls to teeing portion 230.

To conserve weight, frame 216 may be made from hollow, tubular lightweight material (e.g., aluminum) and ball arrester 212 and ball return214 may be constructed from light weight netting and/or fabric.

Teeing portion 230 includes a platform 232, which is elevated above asupport surface with supports 234 to provide sufficient clearance forteeing device 240. Supports 234 may include adjustable ends to providesecure placement and leveling of platform 232 above an uneven supportsurface. An aperture 236 in the upper surface of platform 232 provides apassage way through which teeing device 240 presents a golf ball to auser. Platform 232 may be constructed of two or more sections that allowplatform 232 to be collapsed for easier transportation.

Platform 232 also includes an optional ball collector 238 that attachesto ball return 214 to funnel balls to ball track 242. A sequencer 244 islocated along ball track 242 to sequence the golf balls to teeing device240.

Teeing device 240 includes a golf tee 246 that moves vertically to movea golf ball positioned on the upper end of golf tee 246 through aperture236 and present the golf ball to the user. The height at which golf tee246 holds the golf ball above the upper surface of platform 232 may beadjustable by the user in some embodiments. In the illustratedembodiment, the golf tee 246 is electrically actuated to raise a golfball into striking position; however, alternate embodiments may usepneumatic, mechanical, and/or hydraulic actuation.

Golf training apparatus 200 is collapsible and sized to permit displayand shelving in, e.g., a retail store so that a prospective purchasercan, at the point of making the decision whether to purchase the device,realize that the prospective purchaser can buy and transport the golftraining apparatus in a typical passenger vehicle without the need for aseparate delivery service.

Once transported to a location where the user intends to use the golftraining apparatus, the user may assemble the golf training apparatus,such as by assembling frame 216, attaching ball arrester 212 and ballreturn 214 to frame 216, attaching catch and return portion 210 toplatform 232, and connecting ball teeing device 240 and ball track 242to platform 232. After use, a user may disassemble golf trainingapparatus 200 by, for example, detaching the catch and return portion210 from platform 232, detaching ball arrester 212 and ball return 214from frame 216 (which occupy little space once folded), disassemblingframe 216 at joints 217 and collapsing frame 216 for easytransportation.

As depicted, platform 232 is sized to fit within the cargo carryingportion of passenger vehicles. However, in alternate embodiments,supports 234 may be easily removable by hand (such as with use ofquick-release attachment fittings) to platform 232, and teeing device240 may similarly be easily removed from platform 232 by hand for easytransportation. In some embodiments, the upper surface of platform 232may be constructed of two or more sections (e.g., up to four sections)allowing disassembly and/or folding (such as by using hinges) of thesections to facilitate easier transportation, and being sufficientlysmall to fit into smaller trunks, such as those associated with manycompact passenger vehicles.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of platform 232 upon which theuser stands is approximately 4 ft.×5 ft.

In certain embodiments, golf training apparatus 200 collapses to fitwithin a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×2 ft. or smaller. In otherembodiments, golf training apparatus 200 collapses to fit within acontainer that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×1 ft. or smaller. In further embodiments,golf training apparatus 200 collapses to fit within a container that is4 ft.×5 ft.×1 ft. or smaller. In still further embodiments, golftraining apparatus 200 collapses to fit within a container that is 3ft.×4 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.

Once a user has moved golf training apparatus 200 to a desired location,the user may erect golf training apparatus 200 by reversing the stepsused to disassemble golf training apparatus 200 described above.

Once assembled, a user can place one or more golf balls in ball track242, such as by placing the golf balls onto ball return 214 and allowingthem to automatically funnel to ball track 242. The user can thenactuate teeing device 240 to extend golf tee 246 upward and present thegolf ball to the user for hitting. In some embodiments, the preciseheight of the golf ball above the upper surface of platform 232 can beadjusted to give the user the appropriate tee height. Sequencer 244prevents additional golf balls from moving into the track of golf tee246, for example, by extending a golf ball stop (e.g., golf ball stop244 a) nearest to golf tee 246.

Once the user strikes the golf ball removing it from the top of golf tee246, the teeing device can automatically lower golf tee 246 and placethe upper end of golf tee 246 in a position to receive the next golfball from ball track 242. A weight, impact, optical, and/or acousticsensor may be utilized to detect when the user has hit the golf ball offof tee 246, and some embodiments include a manual actuation that allowsthe user to override the ball strike detector and sequence the next golfball into position.

Referring to FIGS. 22-27, an example of how at least one embodimentoperates is depicted. When the teeing device 240 is turned on, golf tee246 will be rotated to a golf ball loading orientation. The impactsensor will typically be off in this configuration and the motor canleave the golf tee 246 at the golf ball loading orientation untilreceiving a signal to raise the golf ball upward is received or until aset amount of time has transpired. To load a golf ball onto the top ofgolf tee 246, golf ball stop 244 a is retracted out of the ball pathwayand ball track 242 and the ball nearest golf tee 246 is allowed to rollonto the upper end of golf tee 246. Golf ball stop 244 b will typicallybe extended into the pathway of ball track 242 to inhibit more than oneball progressing past golf ball stop 244 a. After the golf ball beingloaded onto golf tee 246 has passed golf ball stop 244 a, golf ball stop244 a will be extended into the pathway of ball track 242 and golf ballstop 244 b will be retracted out of the pathway of ball track 242 toallow the next golf ball in sequence to be positioned so that it may beloaded onto the top of golf tee 246 during the next loading cycle.

The golf tee 246 will then be raised by motor 248 and extended above theupper surface of platform 232. The impact sensor will be turned on todetect when the user has hit the golf ball. Once the user has hit thegolf ball off of golf tee 246, ball arrester 212 and ball return 214catch and return the golf ball to ball track 242, typically via ballcollector 238.

If the user desires to change the height of the ball above the uppersurface of platform 232, the impact sensor will typically be turned off.Actuation of the switch to change tee height and motor 248 will rotatearm 254 to arrive golf tee 246 to a new tee height. When the tee heightadjustment is complete and the motion of the golf tee 246 has stopped,the impact sensor will typically be turned on.

In some embodiments, the golf tee height is adjusted by changing therotation angle of motor 240 and adjusting the height of golf tee 246 inone millimeter increments.

Some embodiments include a switch 250 to signal to motor 248 that teesupport 250 is in the fully lowered position.

In at least one embodiment, the golf swing trainer is capable of quicklyreturning golf balls to the user after the user hits the balls into thenetting, allowing the user to constantly and consecutively swing at anunlimited number of golf balls. In some embodiments, the golf balls arereturned quickly (in some embodiments being at most 15 seconds, while inother embodiments being at most 10 seconds, and in still furtherembodiments being at most 5 seconds) allowing the user to keepconstantly swinging with a small number of golf balls. In someembodiments, the user can constantly swing as golf balls with as few as5 golf balls, while in other embodiments the user can constantly swingas golf balls with as few as 3 golf balls.

A flow chart of the operation of one embodiment of golf trainer 200during startup is depicted in FIG. 20.

A flow chart of the operation of one example embodiment of golf trainer200 while a user practices the user's golf swing is depicted in FIG. 21.

Reference systems that may be used herein can refer generally to variousdirections (e.g., upper, lower, forward and rearward), which are merelyoffered to assist the reader in understanding the various embodiments ofthe disclosure and are not to be interpreted as limiting. Otherreference systems may be used to describe various embodiments, such asreferring to the direction of projectile movement as it exits thefirearm as being up, down, rearward or any other direction.

Various aspects of different embodiments of the present disclosure areexpressed in paragraphs X1, and X2, as follows:

X1. One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a golf swingtraining kit, comprising: a platform with an aperture; a golf ball trackconnectable to the platform; a golf ball lifter connectable to theplatform and adapted to position at least one golf ball from the golfball track on a vertically movable golf tee and extend the golf ballthrough the aperture; a plurality of elongated frame members; andnetting connectable to the plurality of frame members; the platform, thegolf ball track, the golf ball lifter, the plurality of elongated framemembers, and the netting being connectable to one another to form a golfswing trainer, wherein the platform, golf ball track and golf balllifter connect to one another to sequentially move one or more golfballs from the golf ball track to the vertically movable golf tee andsequentially move the one or more golf balls through the aperture in theplatform, positioning each golf ball in a location where a user standingon the platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf clubwhile holding the golf club handle to practice the user's golf stroke;wherein the plurality of elongated frame members connect to one anotherto form a frame and the fabric connects to the frame to form a fabricball arrester and a ball return, the fabric ball arrester beingconfigured and adapted to stop golf balls as the golf balls aresequentially hit from the golf tee, the fabric ball return being slopedto receive a ball from the ball arrester and return the ball to the balltrack.

X2. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method,comprising: providing a portable golf swing trainer, including; aplatform, a golf ball track connectable to the platform, a golf ball teeconnectable to the platform and adapted to position at least one golfball from the golf ball track above the platform for striking with agolf club, a plurality of elongated frame members, and nettingconnectable to the plurality of frame members; wherein the platform, thegolf ball track, the golf ball tee, the plurality of elongated framemembers, and the netting are connectable to one another to form a golfswing trainer that sequentially positions golf balls in a location wherea user standing on the platform can strike the golf ball with the headof a golf club while holding the golf club handle by stopping the golfball, moving the golf ball to the golf ball track, and positioning thegolf ball on the golf ball tee in a location where a user standing onthe platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club whileholding the golf club handle; assembling the portable golf swingtrainer; disassembling the portable golf swing trainer, loading thedisassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 5ft.×6 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.

Yet other embodiments include the features described in any of theprevious statements X1 or X2, as combined with one or more of thefollowing aspects:

Wherein the platform is configured and adapted to fold into twoapproximately equally sized portions.

Wherein the platform is configured and adapted to separate into twoapproximately equally sized portions.

A sequencer with two movable ball stops that selectively extend into andretract out of the golf ball track and sequences golf balls to the golfball lifter.

Wherein the golf tee defines an axis, and the golf ball lifter liftsgolf balls in a vertical direction parallel to the golf ball tee axis.

A golf gee height control that changes the vertical distance above theplatform the ball tee holds the golf ball.

Wherein the netting, golf ball track, and golf ball lifter return a golfball hit by a user to a position where the user can hit the same golfball in at most 15 seconds.

Wherein the netting, golf ball track, and golf ball lifter return a golfball hit by a user to a position where the user can hit the same golfball in at most 10 seconds.

Wherein the netting, golf ball track, and golf ball lifter return a golfball hit by a user to a position where the user can hit the same golfball in at most 5 seconds.

Wherein the golf ball lifter includes a motor that rotates a lifter arm,and the lifter arm is connected to a tee support that moves along alinear and vertically oriented tee support track.

Wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golfswing trainer into a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×1 ft. or smaller.

Wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golfswing trainer into a container that is 4 ft.×5 ft.×1 ft. or smaller.

Wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golfswing trainer into a container that is 3 ft.×4 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.

Wherein the upper surface of the platform when the portable golf swingtrainer is assembled is approximately 4 ft. by 5 ft.

While examples, one or more representative embodiments and specificforms of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail inthe drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive or limiting. The description ofparticular features in one embodiment does not imply that thoseparticular features are necessarily limited to that one embodiment.Features of one embodiment may be used in combination with features ofother embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in theart, whether or not explicitly described as such. One or more exemplaryembodiments have been shown and described, and all changes andmodifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desiredto be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf swing training kit, comprising: a platformwith an aperture; a golf ball track connectable to the platform; a golfball lifter connectable to the platform and adapted to position at leastone golf ball from the golf ball track on a vertically movable golf teeand extend the golf ball through the aperture; a plurality of elongatedframe members; and netting connectable to the plurality of framemembers; the platform, the golf ball track, the golf ball lifter, theplurality of elongated frame members, and the netting being connectableto one another to form a golf swing trainer, wherein the platform, golfball track and golf ball lifter connect to one another to sequentiallymove one or more golf balls from the golf ball track to the verticallymovable golf tee and sequentially move the one or more golf ballsthrough the aperture in the platform, positioning each golf ball in alocation where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ballwith the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle topractice the user's golf stroke; wherein the plurality of elongatedframe members connect to one another to form a frame and the fabricconnects to the frame to form a fabric ball arrester and a ball return,the fabric ball arrester being configured and adapted to stop golf ballsas the golf balls are sequentially hit from the golf tee, the fabricball return being sloped to receive a ball from the ball arrester andreturn the ball to the ball track.
 2. The kit of claim 1, wherein theplatform is configured and adapted to fold into two approximatelyequally sized portions.
 3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the platform isconfigured and adapted to separate into two approximately equally sizedportions.
 4. The kit of claim 1, comprising: a sequencer with twomovable ball stops that selectively extend into and retract out of thegolf ball track and sequences golf balls to the golf ball lifter.
 5. Thekit of claim 1, wherein the golf tee defines an axis, and the golf balllifter lifts golf balls in a vertical direction parallel to the golfball tee axis.
 6. The kit of claim 1, comprising: a golf gee heightcontrol that changes the vertical distance above the platform the balltee holds the golf ball.
 7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the netting,golf ball track, and golf ball lifter return a golf ball hit by a userto a position where the user can hit the same golf ball in at most 10seconds.
 8. The kit of claim 1, wherein the golf ball lifter includes amotor that rotates a lifter arm, and the lifter arm is connected to atee support that moves along a linear and vertically oriented teesupport track.
 9. A method, comprising: providing a portable golf swingtrainer, including: a platform; a golf ball track connectable to theplatform; a golf ball tee connectable to the platform and adapted toposition at least one golf ball from the golf ball track above theplatform for striking with a golf club; a plurality of elongated framemembers; and netting connectable to the plurality of frame members;wherein the platform, the golf ball track, the golf ball tee, theplurality of elongated frame members, and the netting are connectable toone another to form a golf swing trainer that sequentially positionsgolf balls in a location where a user standing on the platform canstrike the golf ball with the head of a golf club while holding the golfclub handle by stopping the golf ball, moving the golf ball to the golfball track, and positioning the golf ball on the golf ball tee in alocation where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ballwith the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle;assembling the portable golf swing trainer; disassembling the portablegolf swing trainer, loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainerinto a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portablegolf swing trainer into a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×1 ft. orsmaller.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the upper surface of theplatform when the portable golf swing trainer is assembled isapproximately 4 ft. by 5 ft.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein saidloading includes loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainerinto a container that is 4 ft.×5 ft.×1 ft. or smaller.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the upper surface of the platform when the portablegolf swing trainer is assembled is approximately 4 ft. by 5 ft.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, wherein said loading includes loading thedisassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 3ft.×4 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein theupper surface of the platform when the portable golf swing trainer isassembled is approximately 4 ft. by 5 ft.